​​Howard Wong is an award nominated writer and creative consultant. His passion for creative content and narrative development has led him to work in animation, comics, high-end collectible toys, intellectual property development, transmedia narratives, mobile & web games,​ marketing and creative content development. His collaborative works in comics have been nominated for the Joe Shuster Award's Gene Day Award, Comic Book Buyer's Guide Fan Award for Favourite Graphic Novel, the Ghastly Award for Favourite Horror Anthology. Howard has been nominated for the Joe Shuster Award for Outstanding Canadian Comic Book Writer and received Diamond's Gem of the Month for his creator-owned work.

He can usually be found traveling or eating somewhere on earth. Sometimes both at the same time.

Ronin Studios' HOPE: THE HERO INITIATIVE - a 188-page comic book anthology benefiting The Hero Initiative - is available in comic book stores everywhere starting February 21, 2011.

HOPE has 26 short stories and pinups by more than 80 creators from around the world. All have themes focused on heroes and the nature of heroism. The Hero Initiative creates a financial safety net for comic creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work.

"Working on HOPE: THE HERO INITIATIVE is a great experience. There's a lot of super talent in this book," says HOPE editor Dustin Archibald. "The Hero Initiative is an amazing organization that truly helps people in need. Their efforts of aiding comic creators in need are something any comic reader can get behind."

The pieces in HOPE: THE HERO INITIATIVE were created by up-and-comers in the comics industry and established professionals including Tom Nguyen (52, Final Crisis), Jake Black (Batman: Brave and Bold, Smallville), Russell Lissau (The Batman Strikes), and Gerry Alanguilan (Ultimate Avengers, Hulk). Ray Anthony Height (The Amazing Spider-Man) drew the cover.

The book's release is part of a fund and awareness raising campaign to benefit comic creators in need with all profits going directly to The Hero Initiative. HOPE shows that the comics community is willing to do its part.

Added Pain Killer Jane creator and Jonah Hex writer Jimmy Palmiotti: " Elegantly told and beautifully rendered, HOPE: THE HERO INITIATIVE is a must have for any collection. Comics done for the right reason. "

The full color softcover has a cover price of $19.95 and can be ordered from retailers with the Diamond Order Code DEC101038.